Ex-Cowboy: Bowles Will Help Birds
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Ex-Cowboy: Bowles Will Help Birds
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Former cornerback Anthony Henry played for Todd Bowles with the Browns and the Cowboys, and Henry said today that Bowles is just the guy to bring a secondary together.
"With the kind of talent they already have there, he'll make them a better secondary, and they'll have a really successful team next year," Henry said.
Henry, now retired in the Dallas area, said Bowles has a talent for "tapping in on what each player is good at, and bringing that together" into a coherent coverage plan for the secondary. "Guys feel comfortable with their roles and the scheme," Henry said -- not something that was always true for the Eagles last season.
The Eagles announced this afternoon that they are hiring Bowles, ex-Dolphins assistant head coach-defensive backs, as the coach of the Birds' defensive backs. Bowles replaces Johnnie Lynn, but unlike Lynn, he will be in charge of the entire secondary, including safeties coach Mike Zordich. Lynn only coached corners.
Bringing aboard Bowles, 48, a former Temple star and Redskins defensive back, removes the last obstacle to Eagles coach Andy Reid giving his long-awaited season wrapup news conference. Reid now is scheduled to speak to reporters tomorrow at noon.
Bowles began his post-playing career on the Packers' personnel staff, back when Reid was on the Green Bay coaching staff, in 1995-96. He has coached with the Jets, Browns and Cowboys, along with the Dolphins, coming to Miami along with Bill Parcells, when Parcells left the Cowboys. He was the Dolphins' interim head coach after the Dec. 12 firing of Tony Sparano, going 2-1, and was a finalist for the permanent job, which went to Joe Philbin. Bowles also interviewed for the head coaching vacancy in Oakland. It will be interesting to see if he has more of a voice in game-day decisions than an ordinary position coach would.
The Eagles said Bowles' hiring completes their coaching staff, so Juan Castillo offically will remain as defensive coordinator.
Henry said Bowles' voice was respected in Dallas across the defense, not just in the secondary.
Henry said Bowles' style was laid-back enough that players felt free to come in and talk to him about coverages they felt had worked well for them in the past, that he should consider, but he "did get fiery" if a plan wasn't being executed properly. He added that Bowles is not "a big yeller or cuss-out guy."
Bowles is probably the first position coach Reid has brought aboard who was already considered an up-and-coming NFL head coaching candidate; that will be an interesting dynamic, as Reid confronts what might be a do-or-die season.
Now who are they going to get as new LB coach because it seems they need one— connorjr- It was all Johnny Lynn's fault......ya.— p-diddy
- Who cares.....So and so's rehab is going well....We are in the process of reviewing that....We are talking with DeSean and hopefully we can reach a number fair to all, he is a good kid....and I am sure Howie and the staff have the necessary info on our needs and who is out there....Time is yours.....No, I am not gonna comment on that.... sound about right.....yup, you are right Jeffery, no arrogance there........."Completely Unaccpetable" the new gold standard of stupid commnets...— nuggett
Comment removed.- This is at least the second article you have commented on today, and you appear to be a saints fan. Hmmm. You must have a very interesting and full life.
- That is a disgrace! Totally unacceptable to keep Castillo as dc!— jtcigar
- Maybe they got the report wrong and he is the new DC?— CaptainCrunch
- Another wonderful decision! Here is what they think they know on who can't play: Brian Dawkins- Pro Bowl Safety- Broncos, David Akers, Pro Bowl Kicker- 49ers, Earl Thomas Pro Bowl Safety- Seahawks
Here is who they think can play: Nate Allen- Safety, Jaquain Jarrett Safety, Brandon Graham- DL- drafted instead of Earl.
Here is who didn't get a chance to coach for us at a higher level: John Harbaugh (Special teams coach), Steve Spagnoulo (Def assistant), Sean Payton (QB Coach)
Here are our answers: Juan Castillo, Marty Mornhinwig, Jim Washburn
Enough said- time for Andy and crew to leave!!!!!!!!
Enough said!— jayram - Would you care to add a few names to your list, like, oh, I don't know: Donovsn McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Sheldon Brown, Correll Buckholder, Duce Stayley...I could go on.
I'm not a fan of Reid (anymore) but as far as getting rid of deadwood, they are usually good at culling the herd.
Unfortunately, more often than not, they are horrible at evaluating new talent.— gdibig - Cry babies..— FABER
- Bowles went 2-1 as head coach of Miami, beating the Jets and Bills, and losing by a FG to Super Bowl bound New England. Great hire.— drbob1
- Connorjr, the better question may be, who are they going to get to PLAY linebacker? The need three...— mccarte1
- That is Ray Rhodes in the picture....Eagles trying to pull a fast one.— rockinrob
- Maybe this new secondary coach will let the shut down corners play like shut down corners instead of zone corners.....— SKYMAN
- Great hiring. Probably looking at someone else's next Head Coach there..— CouchKing
